Fast-load lid assembly for paintball

Abstract

A lid assembly for a paintball hopper is disclosed, which reduces the paintball reload time. The lid assembly has an outer ring dimensioned to fit over a loading opening of the paintball hopper. A barrier member, such as an elastic membrane or plurality of flanges, is disposed across the inner perimeter of the outer ring such that the loading opening is substantially sealed. Also, a securing member is provided for securing the outer ring to the paintball hopper. A paintball hopper formed with the lid assembly described above is disclosed as well.

1 . A lid assembly coupleable to a paintball hopper, said lid assembly comprising:
 an outer ring structure dimensioned to fit over an opening of said paintball hopper; and   a barrier member disposed in an internal area formed by said outer ring structure, said barrier member allowing paintballs to pass through said barrier member when a predetermined force is applied, said barrier member substantially sealing said opening of said hopper when said predetermined force is removed.   
   
   
       2 . The lid assembly as in  claim 1 , further comprising a securing structure for holding said lid assembly to said paintball hopper. 
   
   
       3 . The lid assembly as in  claim 2 , wherein the securing structure secures said lid assembly to said paintball hopper using compressive elastic force. 
   
   
       4 . The lid assembly as in  claim 2 , wherein the securing structure secures said lid assembly to said paintball hopper using a clamping force maintained and adjusted using a clamp adjusting device. 
   
   
       5 . The lid assembly as in  claim 1 , further comprising an adaptor assembly disposed between said lid assembly and said paintball hopper, said adaptor assembly including a securing structure for holding said adaptor assembly to said paintball hopper, and said lid assembly having a second securing means for holding said lid assembly to said adaptor assembly. 
   
   
       6 . The lid assembly as in  claim 5 , wherein said adaptor assembly having an extended chamber formed between a top opening on which said lid assembly is disposed and a bottom opening disposed and coupled to said paintball hopper, said extended chamber providing expanded paintball holding capacity for said paintball hopper. 
   
   
       7 . The lid assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein said barrier member comprises:
 a plurality of radially disposed flanges; and   hinge member connecting each of said flanges to said outer ring structure.   
   
   
       8 . The lid assembly as in  claim 7 , wherein said hinge member allows said flanges to pivot downward into said central chamber when a predetermined force is applied to a top surface of said flanges, returns said flanges to a sealing position when said predetermined force is removed, and prevents said flanges from pivoting outward. 
   
   
       9 . The lid assembly as in  claim 7 , wherein said hinge member is a live hinge integrally formed with said flanges and said outer ring. 
   
   
       10 . The lid assembly as in  claim 7 , wherein each of said flanges have a triangular shape dimensioned to form a substantially circular outer perimeter and each of two opposing sides of each said flange being oriented parallel with a side of an other of said flanges. 
   
   
       11 . The lid assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein said barrier member is formed of an elastic membrane having a small central opening, said small central opening expanding upon application of said predetermined force. 
   
   
       12 . A lid assembly coupleable to a paintball hopper, said lid assembly comprising:
 an outer ring structure dimensioned to fit over an opening of said paintball hopper;   a plurality of radially disposed flanges;   hinge member connecting each of said flanges to said outer ring structure; and   a securing structure for holding said lid assembly to said paintball hopper.   
   
   
       13 . The lid assembly as in  claim 12 , wherein said hinge member allows said flanges to pivot downward into said central chamber when a predetermined force is applied to a top surface of said flanges, returns said flanges to a sealing position when said predetermined force is removed, and prevents said flanges from pivoting outward. 
   
   
       14 . The lid assembly as in  claim 12 , wherein said hinge member is a live hinge integrally formed with said flanges and said outer ring. 
   
   
       15 . The lid assembly as in  claim 12 , wherein each of said flanges have a triangular shape dimensioned to form a substantially circular outer perimeter and each of two opposing sides of each said flange being oriented parallel with a side of an other of said flanges. 
   
   
       16 . A paintball hopper for use with a paintball gun, said paintball hopper comprising:
 a hopper body having a central chamber for holding a plurality of paintballs, a paintball feed tube insertable into a paintball gun for feeding paintballs into a firing chamber of said paintball gun, and an opening formed at a top portion of said hopper body for loading said paintballs into said central chamber; and   a barrier member disposed on said opening for preventing debris from entering said central chamber, said barrier member allowing paintballs to pass through said barrier member when a predetermined force is applied, said barrier member substantially sealing said opening of said hopper when said predetermined force is removed.   
   
   
       17 . The paintball hopper as in  claim 16 , wherein said barrier member comprises:
 a plurality of radially disposed flanges; and   hinge member connecting each of said flanges to a perimeter of said opening.   
   
   
       18 . The paintball hopper as in  claim 17 , wherein said hinge member allows said flanges to pivot downward into said central chamber when a predetermined force is applied to a top surface of said flanges, returns said flanges to a sealing position when said predetermined force is removed, and prevents said flanges from pivoting outward. 
   
   
       19 . The paintball hopper as in  claim 17 , wherein said hinge member is a live hinge integrally formed with said flanges and said outer ring. 
   
   
       20 . The paintball hopper as in  claim 17 , wherein each of said flanges have a triangular shape dimensioned to form a substantially circular outer perimeter and each of two opposing sides of each said flange being oriented parallel with a side of an other of said flanges. 
   
   
       21 . The paintball hopper as in  claim 16 , wherein said barrier member is formed of an elastic membrane having a small central opening, said small central opening expanding upon application of said predetermined force. 
   
   
       22 . A paintball hopper for use with a paintball gun, said paintball hopper comprising:
 a hopper body having a central chamber for holding a plurality of paintballs, a paintball feed tube insertable into a paintball gun for feeding paintballs into a firing chamber of said paintball gun, and an opening formed at a top portion of said hopper body for loading said paintballs into said central chamber; and   a lid assembly disposed on said opening for preventing debris from entering said central chamber, said lid assembly having a plurality of radially disposed flanges connected to an outer ring by a hinge member.   
   
   
       23 . The paintball hopper as in  claim 22 , wherein said hinge member allows said flanges to pivot downward into said central chamber when a predetermined force is applied to a top surface of said flanges, returns said flanges to a sealing position when said predetermined force is removed, and prevents said flanges from pivoting outward. 
   
   
       24 . The paintball hopper as in  claim 22 , wherein said hinge member is a live hinge integrally formed with said flanges and said outer ring. 
   
   
       25 . The paintball hopper as in  claim 22 , wherein each of said flanges have a triangular shape dimensioned to form a substantially circular outer perimeter and each of two opposing sides of each said flange being oriented parallel with a side of an other of said flanges.